Pressure Cooker opinions

[aka]

Hi,
I saw a T-Fal pressure cooker on sale today and I'm wondering if anyone here has one (or any pressure cooker), and what they think of it (specifically the T-Fal, but if you have another one, if you use it a lot and would recommend it). Thanks for any opinions.

Lilia

[keg64]

I have an electric Farberware that I got for Christmas. I had decided on that after reading previous threads. If you do a search on "pressure" in the title, you should find the threads that I used.

What I've used mine for so far is for risotto (AMAZING how much more quickly this works!) and soup/broth. I can't see myself using tons, but it has been fun so far. Kim

[Curleytop]

I have 2 Fagor, 4qt and 6qt, each with their own lids etc. Have been using pressure cookers since the days of the old Presto. Couldn't live without them. Usually have both of them going at the same time.

[JHolcomb]

I have the 6 quart Fagor "Splendid" that only has one pressure setting (high). I love it and highly suggest buying one. I use my pressure cooker at least once a week and find it especially useful for beans and brown rice. Plus, as others have mentioned, it makes perfect risotto in under 10 minutes, no stirring required. I was always terrified of my mother's pressure cooker (she has one of the old explodable models), which she used for beans and tough cuts of meat, but was always amazed at the amount of time they took off of bean preparation (we eat lots and lots of beans in my house). Thanks to this board, I found out that the newer models were much safer than mom's old one. I decided on the Fagor thanks to recommendations on this board and "independant research." Don't know how I would live without it.

[breadmama]

I also have a Fagor 6 qt, and I love it. I'm still looking for more ideas to try in it, but here is a brief list of things we've liked:

custard
cheesecake
Hoppin' John
Black Bean Soup
cooking presoaked beans
brown rice
rice pudding with arborio rice...mmm

Good luck!

[Chiffonade]

I don't happen to own one because I've never really been driven to make something that called for one. However, I have friends who love them. One friend swears by a pressure cooker for her artichokes and there has been talk of quicker risotto and tender braises.

Pressure cookers have come a long way from my mother's that had the little dancing steam thing on top. They are much safer now and have many features to prevent the old image of the "exploding pressure cooker."

If the price is low enough and you've got room for one AND you think you'll use it, go for it.

[Curleytop]

AS I mentioned before, the old pressure cookers were perfectly safe.
NEVER HAD A PROBLEM! I think it was a user impaired issue!

[Molli526]

I have a Fagor 4Q and 7Q - and love them!

[Deanna]

Hmmmm....now I'm wondering if the 8 qt is going to be too big?

Probably not if I'm going to be doing chicken stock on a regular basis...

[wallycat]

Kuhn Rikon...the cadillac of pressure cookers :D
I had to practically stick my head so close to the burner I nearly singed my eyebrows...it was THAT quiet and I wanted to make sure it was working :p :o

I think Alton Brown (in his equipment/gear book) says he has the Fagor splendid and loves it.